New Year’s Resolutions, In Other Words: PLANS AND GOALS.

GOAL NUMBER ONE: Journal every day.

Whoever is happy will make others happy, too. — Anne Frank

I read The Diary of Anne Frank in fourth grade.  That year I started journaling and wrote at least once every day through the end of high school.  I journaled less obsessively during college and then even more sporadically after college graduation.  For me, a journal is a place to make notes to myself, about things I learned or noticed or felt.  I’m no Harriet the Spy but I would call myself perceptive.  I make lists and mini collages, and in general it’s just a good place for me to keep myself.  On a daily basis, the journal isn’t necessarily ground-breaking.  It is the accumulation of days over a period of time that makes it special.

The palest ink is better than the best memory. -- Chinese Proverb

 

GOAL NUMBER TWO: Follow my Marathon Training schedule.

Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius. — An Wang

Notice the actual goal is not just RUN A MARATHON.  If there is one thing that makes me happy and sane, it is a schedule and routine.  Last year I was at my happiest when I was following my half marathon training plan.  And I had a great race as a result!  This year, I am working toward a marathon.  The training schedule is a great way to anchor every day, and by being consistent, I will find myself on the marathon doorstep.  And like keeping a journal, it is the accumulation of each day that matters.  Being consistently in charge of my running-eating-sleeping on a daily basis will make me…

Or at least it will make me my best self, which is all I can ask!  GTJD [get the job done: do what has to be done, when it has to be done, as well as it can be done, and do it that way every time].

I have a problem with high expectations, so with this particular goal, the marathon itself needs to be enough.  I would like to run the whole thing in an 8 minute mile pace, but if I can happily finish the marathon and feel good- then the training will have paid off.  I don’t want to expect a miracle 3:30, but I also don’t want to suffer through 26.2 miles at much more than 4 hours.  The goal is to finish strong.

One person working toward a dream is worth 99 people just working. -- Lani Kraus, writer

 

GOAL NUMBER THREE: Make and follow a budget.

Elliot and I will be making a budget for ourselves.  We don’t live together, so we’ll each have our own for the time being.  Here is a tentative breakdown-

• Rent
• Oil (heat)
• RCN Cable-Internet
• N Star Electric
• Student Loans
• Car payment
• Gas
• Car Miscellaneous (oil changes, etc.)
• Groceries
• Entertainment (restaurants, bars, movies, S-bucks)

The ultimate goal is obviously to save money.  But again, it is how we operate on a daily and monthly basis that will actually make a difference.

Does anyone else have a budget?  Any suggestions, ideas, or category comments?

 

 

 

WEEK THREE Plan: step back week… already?!

Sunday: Bike XT 40 minutes.

Monday run: Easy 3 miles.

Tuesday run: Run Club TBD 5-6 miles.

Wednesday REST: (trading for Thursday)

Thursday run: 5K New Year’s Day Race and Ocean Plunge-Open Bar!

Friday run: 5 miles.

Saturday run: 6 miles.

 

I’m loving Hal Higdon.  Not only does he give you what to do each day, but each day has a little talk-to-you blurb.  Here is the blurb for today:

Five miles at a comfortable pace. Since this is a stepback week, I wouldn't push the pace too hard. This is the third week in a row that I will ask you to run this 5-mile distance. Next week, the mileage for the midweek "sorta long" run moves up to 6.

 

And in case you’re curious here’s the plan itself:

Well… I tried.  Get out your magnifying glasses.  Heh.

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!